Buick Excelle once was one of the "Three New Models" in the domestic compact car market and enjoyed great popularity back in the day. However, its presence is now quite low. Despite this, Buick has not ceased production of this once-prominent compact model, indicating that it still holds some value. Let's analyze the 2020 Buick Excelle 15N CVT Elite model.
The exterior of the Excelle is simple and elegant, with a rounded overall shape. It doesn't have a strong sense of fashion or sporty style, but it is amiable and fits the positioning of a family car. Its dimensions are 4468/1765/1469mm, and it has a wheelbase of 2611mm. Based on Buick’s product lineup, it is classified as an entry-level compact sedan, positioned below the Buick Verano.
The interior of the Excelle is also quite simple. Due to cost constraints, its materials are not very outstanding but they do not appear cheap. The lack of a central control screen gives it a somewhat old-fashioned look. However, given the rich features of today’s smartphones and improved interactive experiences, the absence of a central screen is acceptable, though it may affect the perception of modernity. The safety features deserve praise, as the Excelle is equipped with 6 airbags and a tire pressure display function standard across all models.
The seating space in the Excelle is decent. I am 175cm tall, and the front row headroom is nearly a fist, while the rear headroom is two fingers, which is slightly cramped. The rear legroom is nearly two fists, which is satisfactory. The seats are wide and sturdy but the padding is quite hard, so comfort is not optimal, and the rear headrests are fixed, which limits flexibility. The trunk capacity is 491 liters, accommodating 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch suitcases simultaneously, with extra space for two or three backpacks, making it adequate for daily family use. However, the rear seats cannot be folded down, limiting expansion capability.
This car is equipped with a 1.3L three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 107 horsepower and a peak torque of 133 Nm, paired with a CVT continuously variable transmission. The engine's power is adequate for daily commuting, providing satisfying starts and acceleration. When driving in urban areas, the engine rarely revs above 3000 RPM. The CVT performs well, smooth and responsive, with high throttle sensitivity. During hard acceleration or in sport mode, engine RPM stays high, reaching around 4000 RPM, delivering some level of power surge. However, due to the limited displacement, the vehicle’s acceleration at high speeds is weaker, so overtaking requires ample planning. Our tests show that the car’s 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 11.47 seconds, which is commendable and faster than some 1.5L models in the same class.
The three-cylinder engine does transmit more noticeable vibrations at idle and high RPM compared to a four-cylinder engine, primarily felt through the steering wheel by the driver. Other passengers may not notice it much, so it doesn't significantly affect riding comfort.
Regarding fuel consumption, we conducted a 200-kilometer test of this car, divided equally among congested city roads, national highways, and highways, with an average speed of 32 km/h. It consumed a total of 13 liters of fuel, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 6.5 liters per 100 km, which is satisfactory.
The Excelle's chassis uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam composite non-independent suspension. Overall, the tuning prioritizes comfort, with excellent vibration filtering capability. The chassis remains firm and intact when driving over speed bumps or rough roads, with no obvious looseness. However, the softer suspension leads to noticeable body roll when cornering. The steering feel is light and comfortable for daily driving. Since it's a family car, we don’t emphasize handling; it just needs to be easy to drive.
The official price of this 2020 15N CVT Elite model is 93,900 CNY, with an average discount of around 25,000 CNY. Based on a base price of 68,900 CNY, vehicle purchase tax of 5888.88 CNY, vehicle and vessel tax of 420 CNY, mandatory insurance of 950 CNY, additional commercial insurance of approximately 3300 CNY, and a registration fee of 500 CNY, the total on-road price is approximately 79,900 CNY.
